Department of science and technology
- 1. Prepared by Uvise p m
- 2. Department of Science and Technology It’s aim is to strengthen national Science and Technology capacity and capability, kept its pace to implement several planned initiatives to enable Indian S&T community to increase scientific and technological outputs. Some of the specific projects and programmes are listed below: Formulation of policies relating to Science and Technology. Promotion of new areas of Science and Technology with special emphasis on emerging areas. Support and Grants-in-aid to Scientific Research Institutions, Scientific Associations and Bodies.
- 3. OBJECTIVES Human Capacity Building Institutional Capacity Building Technology Capacity Strengthening S&T Competitiveness through Alliances, Partnerships and R&D Missions Societal Contract of S&T
- 4. Human capacity building Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), created through an Act of Parliament, implements various programmes for strengthening the human resource engaged in diverse fields of science and engineering. Cognitive Science Research Initiative (CSI) is exploring new avenues by supporting projects in various fields of Cognitive Science like Neuroscience, Psychology, Linguistics, Bio Engineering, Social Engineering, Education, Computer technology & Artificial Intelligence.
- 5. Continued… ‘Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A)’ has completed a decade of support and encouragement through S&T to women having break in their career and provide them opportunity to come back in main stream of science by pursuing research in Science & Engineering. Department of Science & Technology, initiated an ambitious project of Human Resource Development namely “National Programme for Training of Scientists and Technologists working in the Government sector”.
- 6. SOCIEO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH S&T INTERVENTIONS Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division has been playing an important role in promotion of science and technology (S&T) for social good. It supports such initiatives through S&T based voluntary organizations and institutions
- 7. SOCIEO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH S&T INTERVENTIONS SCIENCE AND SOCIETY PROGRAMME (SSP) : aims at facilitating development of promising S&T based field groups and innovative technologies for addressing societal needs. Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA): Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA) is a unique scheme under societal programme mainly provides long term core support to S&T based voluntary organizations. For transfer and delivery of new and improved technologies for rural application through identification of problems on the ground and converting them to challenges for providing technological solutions.
- 8. Technology Interventions for Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN) This scheme aims at developing and facilitating research and application of S&T based solutions to identified problems and societal needs. Some specific projects are Rainwater harvesting for School in Rural Area : The project has enabled students to work out the quantum of water that can be harvested and develop rainwater harvesting structures for their own houses. Co-management of Fisheries along the Coromandel Coast : This project seeks to contribute to sustainable management of marine fisheries resources
- 9. Technology Intervention for Disabled and Elderly (TIDE) It aims at improving quality of life for the benefit of elderly population and disabled people in the country through application of S&T inputs. Outcome of some of the interventions in this programme are as under:
- 10. . Development of Indigenous Low Cost Press Mat Based Gait Analyzer: This project is being implemented by National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped (NIOH), Kolkata to develop an inexpensive and reliable pressure mat based system which can be used for disabled and elderly people and as a diagnostic tool for neurological diseases and to minimize risks of injury due to incidence of fall of elderly. This technology can provide diagnosis of posture related complaints, pre and posttreatment evaluation, etc. Vardaan - An independent stair climbing wheel chair
- 11. Vardaan Figure A, B, C, D describing sequence of convertible mechanism from flat floor to stairs and then from stairs to flat landing space
- 12. Scheme for Young Scientist and Technologists (SYST) This Scheme under SEED Division is operational with an aim to encourage young scientists to provide technology based solution on societal problems. The scheme has been able to nurture the ideas of the young investigators on socially relevant issues.
- 13. S&T LED ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION PROMOTION The National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), established in 1982 by the Government of India under the Department of Science & Technology, is an institutional mechanism to promote knowledge driven and technology based entrepreneurship among S&T persons through its programmes and activities. The Board, aims to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship through various initiatives by translating knowledge to wealth and convert “jobseekers” into “job- generators”.
- 14. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC TEMPER IN SOCIETY The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) is mandated to communicate science & technology to masses, faster scientific and technological temper and coordinate such efforts throughout the country.
- 15. ACTIVITIES S&T Exhibitions & Demonstration Regional Innovation Science Hubs for Innovators (RISHI) : The project was initiated with an aim to identify innovators who have the willingness and capacity to pursue new ideas as well as to provide suitable platform to young innovators to encourage them to identify community related problems and make effort to find solution. Awareness Programmes on Health & Nutrition Visit to Establishments where S&T is at work
- 16. INTERNATIONAL BILATERAL COOPERATION Responsibility of DST: (i) Negotiating, concluding and implementing S&T Agreements between India and other countries. (ii) Providing interventions on S&T aspects in international forums.
- 17. Continue........ This responsibility is carried out by the Division in close consultation on the Indian side with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions Abroad, S&T Counsellors posted at Germany, Japan, Russia and USA, stakeholders in scientific, technological & academic institutions, concerned governmental agencies and with various industry associations in India.
- 18. Guiding Principles for International S&T Cooperation DST is able to strategically leverage ‘international collaborative advantage’ by building chosen international alliances and partnerships with selected countries that can have perceptible yields, such as: (i) R&D outputs through international alliances which can contribute directly to national R&D priorities and outcomes; (ii) Accelerating institutional and human capacity building through international exposure and linkages;
- 19. (iii) Enable new paradigms being practiced by other emerging economies for sustainable adoption by Indian R&D and innovation systems; (iv) Evolve modalities and mechanisms for seamlessly connecting Indian research with global efforts particularly in the frontier areas of S&T and in areas addressing global challenges;
- 20. (v) Absorbing experience of existing global research facilities in fine-tuning and/or coupling with upcoming or existing Indian research facilities; (vi) India’s contribution in international mega-science projects; (vii) Empowering developing countries in S&T; and (viii) Promoting innovation and techno-entrepreneurship through Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA).
- 21. CAPACITY BUILDING Capacity building encompasses the country’s human, scientific, technological, organizational, institutional and resource capabilities. A fundamental goal of capacity building is to enhance the ability to evaluate and address the crucial questions related to policy choices and modes of implementation among development options. It is based on an understanding of environment potentials and limits and of needs perceived by the people of the country concerned.
- 22. CAPACITY BUILDING capacity building is defined as the "process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the fast-changing world."
- 23. Why is Capacity Building Needed ? The issue of capacity is critical and the scale of need is enormous, but appreciation of the problem is low. The link between needs and supply is weak. There is a lack of realistic funding. There is need for support for change. Training institutions are isolated - communications are poor. Development of teaching materials is inefficient. Alternative ways of capacity building are not adequately recognized.
Editor's Notes
- #3: Department of Science and Technology, in its endeavour to strengthen national Science and Technology capacity and capability, kept its pace to implement several planned initiatives to enable Indian S&T community to increase scientific and technological outputs. Some of the important domains in which the Department devoted its attention during the year are: strengthening the pool of scientists and technologists for carrying out globally competitive R&D in cutting edge areas of science; nurturing R&D institutions and building infrastructural facilities for enhancing global ranking of India in scientific research; support for the establishment of multi-stakeholder mechanisms for partnerships for promoting science, and deploying technology through national missions; developing capacity of institutions and industry for technology commercialization for solving national challenges; providing S&T inputs to society for its socio-economic benefits; and evidence based policy formulation for S&T sector.